Triquetrum fracture

This patient suffered a fall on his outstretched hand and complained of pain in the wrist area. He had tenderness on the dorsum of his wrist just distal to the ulna. Note on the lateral radiograph there is a small fragment of bone floating dorsally over the carpal bones.

These fractures usually represent ligamentous avulsion injuries. They are managed with a forearm cast and follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon or hand specialist. They tend to heal well and complications are rare.